So what's the jump like between degree level and masters level?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm starting a p/t masters degree in Sept. Its all about in-depth critical analysis so I'm told.

What does this actually mean - I had to critically analyse for my degree I'm sure.

I found my Masters easier, but I was far more interested int he subject than the end of my first degree.
The jump should be something they teach you, so you should be given advice as to whether you are pitching your work correctly, and how to improve it.

Depends what your first degree was like. My first degree was in a quite an academic analytical subject with a lot of pressure, two dissertations, rest of it all exams at end etc. My masters is in a frankly less difficult subject so I have found them to be at the same level. Others who have done the masters in the same or similar subject as their undergrad degree have found it more of a jump.

I've got 2 degrees, neither of which were in an overly academic subject.

Hopefully tutorials will be good then, for my last degree I found them quite poor and unhelpful. Same subject but different uni for my masters.

Don't just rely on tutorials, if you aren't sure go and ask. Keep asking. Your supervisor may not always be the best person to advise, so do ask around, show an interest. Also don't be shy aboutgpingto Departmental Seminars and showing an interest/curiosity in people's work. Doctoral students may also be able to advise too, and as they are closer may be able to give you a steer as to who is the most helpful.
Just be aware sometimes (like grant writing time) people may be a bit stressed.

Oh and do listen, DH did an MBA and for one course theProfessor didn't want the normal multi-page analysis, but just a half page executive summary. Those who listened did well, for those who didn't it was a shock.

Sometimes they have academic mentors which might be someone who's doing the second year of a two year masters or someone who has started PhD who can help with the academic side. Others have found study skills workshops (run by library or SU) useful. Ask for 1:1s with tutors, or make an appointment to phone them, I have found mine v helpful as long as you give him some notice.

My masters is easier and ive actually scored much higher grades ( and studied much less).

It wasn't a 'jump' as such for me, but rather a completely different type of learning. Depends what your masters is like though, mine was research based.

I found the masters easier on the whole, solely because it was much more interesting to do the research than rote learning the results of other peoples' research!

I found my masters easier as well!

Definitely different - and definitely all about critical analysis! It all clicked for me when I realised I had to have a thesis and an antithesis for everything, and an opinion. My marks also went up massively when I started annotating diagrams rather than just reproducing what was in the textbooks - and I had to get used to using lots of diagrams as opposed to continuous prose, which I struggled with. My life was inordinately easier after discovering Visio and ConceptDraw to do lovely diagrams easily, rather than trying to do them in Word - top tip!!

I'm not sure as I didn't do a Masters. I did however go straight into a PhD from BA and the leap was enormous - the ones who did their MA first had a far better footing than me.

If that's of any help to you?

So if you have to have an opinion how do you put that into an assignment?

Its some years ago but I'm fairly sure that at degree level we weren't allowed to have an opinion. Everything had to be referenced. I remember a tutor saying we weren't important enough to have opinions.

I also found my Masters easier and got much higher grades. I don't know if it was actually easier or if I was more interested in my subject. As it was more specialised the size of the subject was more manageable as well iyswim.

I did an MBA that was very experiential, so maybe that's why it was so important for me; to score highly I had to apply theories to my own experience and then critique them - both using what I'd found myself in my own business, and with other theorists' ideas. To get the best marks I had to adapt models rather than just apply them. Hope that makes sense. If you're doing a business masters I'd be more than happy to send a couple of assignments so you can see what I mean!

Its a midwifery masters not a business one, but thanks.

I'm not sure I'll be adapting models or even doing diagrams.

And probably not having your own opinions either in that case!

Biggest differences for me was with MA no holiday breaks at all- work just continued.

Size of essays/assignments increased and more quality and quantity of references required (much more reading required).

Need to include own beliefs and own opinions and back these up with proof and reasoning. Suddenly my opinion mattered but it had to be reasoned.

I am doing a Msc in Midwifery and Women's Health. I absolutely love it, way better than undergrad :) It is incredibly demanding but very stimulating so although it is definitely a jump from undergrad, it is manageable because I am so interested in the subjects.

In terms of the critical analysis, I have been expected to delve much deeper and go beyond the obvious critique. Which has been challenging as it has now forced me to re-evaluate my own beliefs/ideology of childbirth. Mine has a strong feminist theory focus, whilst learning this at great depth, we are expected to try and demonstrate its application to practice as much as possible.